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Deering ready for all 3 phases

Jeremy Deering will get a chance to showcase his talents on offense, defense and special teams this season. (MyCentralJersey.com file photo)

PISCATAWAY – Jeremy Deering is soft-spoken, typically letting his play speak for itself. So when Rutgers’ junior wide receiver was asked to move safety midway through training camp, Deering simply wanted to know whether that mean he would be playing all three
phases this season.

According to Rutgers coach Kyle Flood, that’s the plan beginning with the season opener Saturday (8 p.m., CBS Sports Network) at Tulane and beyond.

“He’ll be a part of our sub packages, so (how much he plays defense will) be dictated a
little bit by the down and distance situations that come up in the game,’’ Flood said.

After initially struggling in his adjustment with the defensive backfield position, Deering has appeared more comfortable with his knowledge of the defense this week.

“It wasn’t that hard for him,’’ Rutgers starting free safety Duron Harmon said. “He is just playing third down in the sub packages. He is doing well. He caught some interceptions the last week of camp. He picked up on it well. He has it down pretty good right now.

“He always did pretty well when he knew what he was doing because he is such a great athlete. Actually knowing what he is doing there, he is progressing day-in day-out and it’s exciting to have somebody with that type of athleticism come over and help us when we need to be helped.’’

While remains a key part of Rutgers’ offense in a pass-catching role and will try to live up to his All-Big East kick returner status on special teams, Deering is beginning to
embrace his defensive role.

“I would say that defense is probably the furthest from where I expected to be,’’ Deering said. “ I just had to do more studying, more watching film, and just had to stay on top of everything in the defense.’’

The iron man role should suit Deering just fine, after he proved to be among the Big East’s most versatile players his first two seasons.

“You knew that he was such a great athlete but when you see somebody special enough to play in all three phases of the game you just have nothing but the utmost respect for him because it’s very hard,’’ Harmon said. “I’m just happy he is on my team.”

As a freshman, Deering rushed for 352 yards and two touchdowns in the WildKnight role while hauling in 16 receptions for 338 yards and a score. Despite being hampered by a head injury early last season, the Tampa, Fla., product managed to rush for 169 yards and catch four passes for 65 yards while splitting time at tailback and wideout.

But it was on special teams where the 6-2, 210-pounder really excelled, as he averaged a Big East-best 31.2 yards on his 17 kick returns.

“I had a little bit of a struggle last season,’’ Deering said, “so it’s good to get back out there full speed and get after it.’’

Now that he’s completely healthy, Deering is looking forward to any opportunity that comes his way, even if it means 15-to-20 offensive snaps, five-to-10 defensive plays and three or four kick returns.

“I can handle it, but my workload depends on what they think I can handle,’’ Deering said. “So it’s not up to me. It’s up to the coaches. Not many people don’t get to (play three phases) it so it’s a great opportunity and I’m going to try to make the best of it.’’

About Keith Sargeant

Keith Sargeant is a graduate of Middlesex County College and Kean University. A Home News Tribune staff writer since August 1997, Keith has been covering Rutgers sports since 2000, serving as the Scarlet Knights’ football beat writer since 2006.

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